What is Rhetoric. . .Communicating with Style? Presented by
Melody Pickle Date August 4, 2011 Workshop Recording Link: http://khe2.adobeconnect.com/p75dzoqgcm4/
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Perceptions of Rhetoric • Words without meaning • Words that have no actions or consequences • Untrustworthy words
What do you think of when you hear the term rhetoric? © 2011 - Public-domain-photos.com
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History of Rhetoric • Greek • Roman • The Art of Oratory (or speaking)
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Sophists – Situational Rhetoric Plato – Truth, Knowledge and Rhetoric Aristotle – Logical Rhetoric Quintilian – Truth and Public Service Rhetoric
© 2011 Jupiterimages Corporation
Classical Figures of Rhetoric and Their Significance
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So What?
© 2011 - Public-domain-photos.com 5
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Definition • Rhetoric : the art of speaking or writing effectively: as a : the study of principles and rules of composition formulated by critics of ancient times b : the study of writing or speaking as a means of communication or persuasion • 2 a : skill in the effective use of speech b : a type or mode of language or speech; also : insincere or grandiloquent language Reference: Rhetoric (2011). 6
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Style • How we say things • Word choice • Tone
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I have a Dream - MLK I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 8
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I have a Dream - MLK I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today! 9
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Challenger - Regan
NASA
And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's take-off. I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them. 10
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10 Things I Hate About You I hate the way you talk to me and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car; I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick. It even makes me rhyme.
© Touchstone Pictures
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10 Things I Hate About You I hate it -- I hate the way you're always right; I hate it when you lie. I hate it when you make me laugh; even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around and the fact that you didn't call.
© Touchstone Pictures
But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you – not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all. 12
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Rhetorical Star • • • • •
Subject – What are your talking about? Audience – Who is receiving your message? Purpose – Why are you communicating? Strategy – How are you appealing to your audience> Design – How does it look and feel.
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Thinking About Communication • • • • • •
Your conversations Songs Movies Reading Commercials Newscasts
1. How are you getting your message across? 2. Are you being successful?
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How to Practice Communication 1. Pay attention to communication
2. Change your strategies
3. Use the Rhetorical Star 15
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Field Trips • I Have a Dream (Audio)http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkiha veadream.htm • Challenger (Movie)http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldre aganchallenger.htm • 10 Things I Hate About You (Movie) • http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/specialen gagements/moviespeech10thingsIhateaboutyou.html • A few Good Men (Movie) http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/specialen gagements/moviespeechafewgoodmencodered.html
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References Lazar, A. & Junger, G. (1999). 10 things I hate about your [Motion picture]. USA: Touchstone Rhetoric. (2011). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/rhetoric Russell, K. (2012). Write Now. New York: NY, McGrawHill.
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Review Historical development and influence of Rhetoric Definition - writing and speaking effectively How we create style with tone formality level, etc. Review of speeches Rhetorical Star (Subject, Audience, Purpose, Strategy, Design) • Think about it • Use it
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Finding Writing Center The First Draft Place First Draft! Can come 5 times a term
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Academic Support Center
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Contact Information • Workshops are recorded and recording links, with an accompanying PowerPoint or a handout, are posted on the Writing Center Workshops page 1-2 business days after a workshop has taken place. • For information about the Writing Center workshop series, please contact Diane Martinez at
[email protected] • For information about this particular workshop, please contact
[email protected]
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